Wall bracket and shelf combination



Aug. 7, 1962 N. E. MANN 3,048,279

WALL BRACKET AND SHELF COMBINATION Filed April 4, 1960 Neal E. Mann INVENTOR.

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nited States Patent 3,048,279 Patented Aug. 7., 1962 This inventionrelates to an improved shelf and bracket combination wherein a novelwall-type bracket or fixture coincides, and cooperates with, and aids insupporting a shelf; for example, a shelf which is expressly, but notnecessarily, designed and uniquely adapted to support bric-a-brac,nick-hacks, and what-nots.

As the preceding general statement of the invention im plies, theinstant invention has to do with an original idea and approach to theprovision of an ornamental, but useful, shelf construction (includingthe bracket) which should appeal not only to prospective purchasers andusers but, from a purely structural standpoint, should strike the fancyof retailers of innovations and conversation-pieces and call for theendorsement of manufacturers. To these ends, it will be noted that thebracket comprises a frame which is referred to broadly as ringlike butwill be of varying shapes (circular, rectangular, triangular, and soon). This bracket or frame is sandwiched between the wall and innerlengthwise edge of the shelf with a portion extending above the plane ofthe shelf and a portion below it, thus projecting a distinctively clevereffect. I

Not only is the matter of appearance significant, the bracket (forinstance, the ring shown) is a rigidifying brace, particularly for theshelf-supporting studs or metal dowels which extend through holesprovided therefor in median portions of the bracket. Then, too, theseholes suspend the bracket in firm contact with the wall or other surfaceand the bracket thus distributes and equalizes stresses and strains,With the result that the components contribute their individualfunctions to the over-all improved effect and new result.

Using a ring-type or an equivalent bracket is novel in the sense thatthe holes in the ring serve to permit screwlike studs to be temporarilyheld in the holes for purposes of starting the screws into the wall andthus boring holes or sockets for plastic or equivalent wall-typeexpanders or anchors. That is to say, after the sockets have been boredwith the supporting and guiding aid of the ring, the ring is slipped offand the studs are backed out, leaving the sockets for the expanders tobe plugged into. Thereafter, the studs are screwed into the expandersand the ring or bracket is replaced; which constitutes, obviously, anovel procedural result.

As will be further evident, from a mere glance at the views of thedrawing, the featured improvements reside not only in the ring-likebracket and fastening means therefor but, in addition, novelty ispredicated on the companion shelf. In practice the shelf will be ofvarying shapes and materials. Usually it is horizontally elongated andgenerally rectangular in plan but may, of course, be of some otherconfiguration. T he shelf is readily applicable and removable and isnovel in that the bored sockets which receive the supporting studs haveclearance and keeper notches which register with the open ends of thesockets. These notches serve to seat limited portions of the ringembraced therein, thus af;

fording adequate support for the shelf with the inner longitudinal edgefirmly against the wall and with the embraced portions of the ringserving as keepers, with the result that the shelf is reliablysupported.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike 2 numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIG. 1 isa view in perspective showing the mounted ready-to-use wall bracketshelf combination constructed in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a section, on a slightly enlarged scale,taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail section on the plane of the line 3--3 ofFIG. 2.

tions of the longitudinally spaced clearance and keeper notches 14.

Two sockets and consequently two supporting and retaining studs areemployed. Each stud comprises a smooth shank portion 16 having a screwdriver kerf '18 therein. The tapering and reduced inner end portion isscrew-threaded as at 20 and an abutment shoulder 22 exists between theends of the stud. Obviously these studs are adapted to pass through thegenerally diametrically opposite stud holes 24 in the lower half portion26 of the bracket or fixture 28. The upper half portion is denoted at80. This may be a plastic, aluminum or metal bracket or fixture. Asalready mentioned it may have varying geometrical shapes.

herein shown will suflice in the instant disclosure. Needless to saythis ring or bracket is adapted to reside firmly briefly as follows.

against the wall surface of the stationary support 32 as shown in FIG.2.

The wall anchors or expanders are preferably of plastic material andeach expander is denoted by the numeral 34 and has a tapered pilotingend'36 and a socketed end 38.

As will be evident, FIG. 3 details the feature wherein the shoulder 22on the stud abuts the coacting surface of the ring or bracket in linewith the stud hole 24. This view also clearly shows the manner in whichthe smooth end portions or shank-s 16 of the studs telescoped into thesockets 12 in the shelf in a manner to removably support the shelf in aposition at right angles to the surface 10 and the ornamental andcomplemental bracing ring 28. This bracket or ring is also referred to,for purposes of coverage as an open type frame. The installationdirections for the do-it-yourself user are First, the ring-like wallbracket (or whatever shape bracket is being used) is placed flatwise onthe wall in proper position. The attachment studs or screws go throughthe holes 24 in the bracket and are screwed into the wall to make holesfor the plastic expanders 34. The screws and brackets are then removedand the expanders are tapped into the screw-threaded holes with ahammer. The wall bracket is then replaced on the extending studs bypassing the studs back through the holes 24. A screwdriver is used totighten the studs and they are screwed firmly into place in theexpanders until the shoulders 22 are brought home against the bracketsurfaces. This firmly attaches the wall bracket to the wall and allowsan inch and a half or so of the studs to project to receive the shelf.These stud portions aretelescoped into the sockets 12 in the shelf inthe manner shown. The shelf is forced firmly into place with the studssliding into the sockets. The keeper notches seat and partially embracethe coacting portions of the ring or bracket in the manner shown andconsequently all of the component parts, when the installation is fin-The ring-like shape ished, contribute to the production of thedistinctive and novelly usable shelf.

It may be added that in proportion the shelf 6 is of a length somewhatgreater than the diameter of the ringlike bracket 28.

It will be noted that no braces, screw heads or other hardware isexposed to view with the result that the construction appears to have novisible means of support. This feature is therefore stressed as uniqueand an apparent innovation in this field of endeavor.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suit-able modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shelf and bracket combination comprising a wall bracket adapted toreside flatwise against a wall or an equivalent support surface,retaining studs having stop means fixed thereto and adapted to beanchored in said wall in a manner to project laterally beyond thesurface, said bracket having holes therein, the studs extending throughand beyond the holes, the bracket mounted and suspended on the studs incontact with said stop means while at the same time adapted to be firmlyurged against the surface by said stop means, and a shelf having aninner lengthwise edge to about the surface, and sockets opening throughsaid edge receiving the studs, said edge also having keeper notches atthe open ends of said sockets, said notches receiving and seatingcoacting portions of said bracket, other portions of said bracketextending below said shelf and having an inner surface coplanar withsaid edge for engaging the wall whereby the bracket may assist insupporting said shelf on the wall.

2. A shelf and bracket combination comprising a wall bracket adapted toreside flatwise against a wall or an equivalent support surface,retaining studs having shoulders thereon and adapted to be anchored insaid wall in a manner to project laterally beyond the surface, saidbracket having holes therein, the studs extending through and beyond theholes, the bracket mounted and suspended on the studs while at the sametime adapted to be firmly urged against the surface by the shoulders ofthe studs, and a shelf having an inner lengthwise edge to abut thesurface, and sockets opening through said edge receiving the studs, saidedge also having keeper notches at the open ends of said sockets, saidnotches receiving and seating coacting portions of said bracket, saidbracket comprising an open ornamental frame a portion of which extendsabove the plane of the shelf and the remaining portion extendssubstantially below the plane of the shelf and adapted to engage thewall.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said bracket comprises acircular ring, the outwardly projecting portions of each of the studsbeing straight, of constant diameter and being larger in diameter thanthe portions of said studs which extend into the wall, the adjacent endsof said portions forming said shoulders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.138,845 Lawrence Sept. 19, 1944 D. 160,384 Heacox Oct. 10, 1950 241,645Gilfillan May 17, 1881 1,555,904 Brunson Oct. 6, 1925 1,935,336 SluyterNov. 14, 1933 2,340,274 Sanford Ian. 25, 1944 2,785,453 Wentz Mar. 19,1957

